Windows Server 2008 + SQL 2008 End of Support (Video)

Windows Server 2008 + SQL Server 2008 End of Support

On January 14th 2020, Windows Server 2008 R1 and R2 reach end of support. SQL Server 2008 reaches end of support on July 9th, 2019. In this week’s Tech Talk we are joined by Rob Davies, Partner Development Manager at Microsoft, who discusses the impacts of EOS, multiple ways to deal with it, and how to get 3 years of extended security updates – FREE!

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End of Support as a Modernization Trigger

A modernization trigger is an event that causes a significant change to a system. In society, some modernization triggers would be the invention of the printing press, the first human-made satellite, the mastery of fire. In technology, we often see the same thing. As new security threats arise, as hardware needs upgrading, as new compliance laws come into effect, we must make significant changes to how we operate. In these periods, it makes sense to look at options moving forward. It becomes a critical time to ask, “It is better to change the way we’ve always done things than it is to simply replace the part that isn’t working?”

As cloud capabilities grow beyond being “your computer… somewhere else” and starts to include true digital transformation opportunities with server-less functions, AI, Machine Learning, Business Intelligence tools and more, it becomes more about moving forward as it is about cost savings.

End of Support is a major modernization trigger. Besides not getting any new features or technical support, end of support means that there will be no more (free) security upgrades. Microsoft will still offer extended security upgrades for three years, but that is an incredibly expensive option.

Never Deal With EOS Again

If you choose to containerize, and migrate your current on-premises SQL databases to Azure Managed SQL, you gain access to a version-less, always up-to-date, SQL as a Service, which will never reach end of support. Not only do you get an easier approach to managing your SQL data, you also free up maintenance time to focus on other initiatives. This approach also makes it easier to start considering increased functions for your data, implementing Business Information systems as well as the entire stack of Azure services.

What is Azure Hybrid Benefit?

If you own Windows Server licenses with Software Assurance, you can use those to save on Azure VMs using Azure Hybrid Benefit. For Standard edition, you can move the use of those licenses to Azure with no new costs. For the Datacenter edition, you can use the licenses BOTH on-premises and in Azure at the same time.

How to Get Security Updates for Windows Server 2008 or SQL Server 2008 for FREE?

Without refactoring or rebuilding your applications or infrastructure, you can still get 3 years of extended security updates by simply migrating your current windows 2008 servers or SQL servers to Azure. From there you have three years to explore modernization options that can open a whole new world of possibilities for you systems and data.

Not sure where to start?

We’ve had a number of Tech Talks and blogs over the last few months discussing how to migrate SQL and server workloads to Azure or AWS.

If you are serious about Migrating to Azure and leveraging the expertise of Microsoft and a Cloud-Native partner with 12 years experience in cloud migrations, contact agile IT today.

About Agile IT Tech Talks

Agile IT Tech Talks are weekly sessions where we bring in subject matter experts for short, highly focused educational segments, followed by up to an hour of open Q&A where Agile IT clients can discuss their own environments with our engineers and a group of peers. While we release the demos and sessions on our blog, the Q&A benefit is only available to Agile IT Managed Service and Cloud Service Customers. Agile IT is a four time cloud partner of the year and offers fully managed security as a service. To find out more, schedule a free call with a cloud service advisor.